Verse 5. A man may be acutely shrewd and yet be a fool, and that in the very highest sense. Nor is this a mere mystic sense. He must be a fool actually, and of the very plainest kind, who gives the whole labour of a life, for example, to increase his eternal agonies.--_Miller._ The _heart_ is frequently used, simply for the mind or seat of intellect as well as for the affections; so that "an understanding heart" might mean nothing different from an _intelligent_ mind. At the same time, since the state of the heart affects to such a degree the exercise of the judgment, "an understanding heart" may signify a heart freed from the influence of those corrupt affections and passions by which the understanding is perverted, and its vision marred and destroyed.--_Wardlaw._ Verse 6. The discoveries of Wisdom relate to things of the highest possible _excellence_; such as the existence, character, works, and ways of God; the soul; eternity; the way of salvation--the means of eternal life. And they are, on all subjects, "_right._" They could not, indeed, be excellent themselves, how excellent soever in dignity and importance the subjects to which they are related, unless they were "right." But all her instructions are so. They are _true_ in what regards _doctrine,_ and "holy, just, and good" in what regards _conduct_ or _duty._ There is truth without any mixture of error, and rectitude without any alloy of evil.--_Wardlaw._ Right for each man's purposes and occasions. The Scriptures are so penned that every man may think they speak of him and his affairs. In all God's commands there is so much rectitude and good reason, could we but see it, that if God did not command them, yet it were our best way to practise them.--_Trapp._ The teaching is not _trifling,_ though addressed to _triflers._ "Right things"--things which are calculated to correct your false notions, and set straight your crooked ways.--_Adam Clarke._ Verse 9. If aught in God's Word does not seem to us right, it is because we, so far, have not found true knowledge. "To those who have bloodshot eyes, white seems red" (Lyra). He who would have the sealed book opened to him must ask it of the Lamb who opens the book (Rev. v. 4-9).--_Fausset._